Best RV Parks & Resorts near Wapiti, WY

We were able to haul our 45-ft fifth wheel and find level ground. There are some additional locations to park higher on the hill but the road to get there is a little more rough. I've seen smaller camper vans but we couldn't haul our big rig up there. We boondocked here all week. Not far from Yellowstone and the town of Cody with amenities. The sheep mountain hiking trailhead is right here and lots of off-roading trails for single and double track. Great views. It was rainy and windy half the time we were here (late May). The roads were dirt but still solid and well maintained. Some of the hiking and OHV trails got muddy up on the mountain.

When it comes to Yellowstone camping can be difficult unless you plan far in advance and prices can soar in the summer months.   For those wanting a little better price points and convenient access to the northern most entrance visiting the Gallatin National Forest is a great option for finding that perfect location and still maintaining access.

I visited this area and was very impressed with the campground and the spacing it provided.   But more importantly I was happy to see that unlike the Yellowstone campgrounds which lack cell signal, at this location I was able to utilize my services through AT&T.    Sure that might not be something everyone considers when traveling, but when you work remotely being able to access the internet through my cell phone is very important.  I had been in the park for several days so stopping here was a good catch up opportunity.

The sites were each well spaced and offered a soft grassy pad for my tent when staying, unlike the darkened dry grassy lands around.   It was almost as though this location was an oasis, despite having no services.

Each sight provides a bear box, picnic table and fire ring, overall very standard for this area.    Additionally there were basic vault toilets which were very well maintained.  One person at the campground actually joked about that being a great hiding place should a bear enter camp...lol

Camping at this location has a 16 night limit and sites are only $7 per night, which is $20 less expensive than the closest Yellowstone campground.  Similar rules apply to this campground as others in the area.   There are no trash services so you have to pack in and out all of your trash.   Generators can be use throughout the camp during certain hours and there are fire restrictions during certain conditions and times (posted on the entry kiosk).   This is an honor system campground with a pay box at the entry, however I did notice it was patrolled at least once nightly by area Forest Service, unlike the pull off sites just beyond camp.

TIPS:

• If you need anything you can stop off just before turning onto the road at any number of stores, shops or restaurants in the low laying community.
• If you need high speed WIFI Subway in the local community has the best access for free.
• West Entrance allows you to split to to east which is where you will spot more wildlife versus the Western side of the park where you will find more of the geothermal features.

Full hookup campground in the heart of Yellowstone. This is a large, busy campground with oddly shaped spots where you park beside your trailer. Big rigs may find it a tight fit but our small trailer was fine. Nearby store is well stocked and gas was available as well. Lake Lodge and Lake Hotel are nearby and offer lots of food choices. Showers were adequate but busy and expect to wait during peak season. No wifi or cell service. If you are looking for scenery you won't find it here, but it's a great base for your Yellowstone explorations due to the central location.

NOTE: Only hard-sided units are allowed here due to bears frequenting the campground.

Access to Rex Hale was easy following the website instructions. Basically, you follow the signs through Cody to Yellowstone National Park via US 14, the park is right off US 14. There was no formal check-in. We had a reservation and that was noted on the post at our back-in site 9 with 50/30 AMP. There was confusion on our part whether we needed to get water before or after arriving based on several campground(CG) reviews. We called the ranger station the day prior who confirmed the water was on at the CG. Then we found out upon arrival that the sites as you come into the CG on the right side of the road up to site 12 have not only electric but also water! This was a recent addition and why water had been nonexistent or off in recent CG reviews. We were told there was a camp host but the host had actually already departed for the season. There was no cell signal nor OTA channels. There are about 30 sites with only sites 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9, 11, and 12 having electric and, now, water. The middle sites, the far CG end to the east and along the riverside of the CG have no utilities. There are water spigots periodically placed throughout the CG. There are several vault toilets but no showers. There is no dump station in the CG, but there is one in Buffalo Bill State Park near Cody. We were staying at an RV park in Cody and just dumped there. We were very impressed with this CG and really enjoyed our spacious site, the mountain views and the peacefulness of the place. We were here when they closed the CG for the season on 20 September and would definitely come back.

Pros:

Water, sewer, electricity

Level sites

Center point of Yellowstone

Convenience store nearby

Friendly staff

Clean well taken care of campground

Cons:

The site we stayed in was $100 a night

No wood fires allowed

We stayed in loop E for 3 nights while exploring Yellowstone. The campground was very nice and I would say worth $100 a night. It was a good place to leave from each morning to see the sites, we typically would beat the crowds coming from the gates by about an hour to our first destination of the day. As of June '23 loop E is mostly pull through sites for larger rigs. The other two loops are a little tighter but have more tree cover.

Dates: May (mid)- Oct (mid) 

Fees: $20.00 single with electric $15.00 single without electric 

$30.00 to $40.00 for double 

Sites: 41 

Reservations: 877-444-6777 or recreation.gov 

Wapiti (pronounced Wa-puh-tee) means "elk". Potable water, pit toilet, trash, picnic table, fire ring, bear box. Campground is flat with gravel base for sites and road, nice private sites with most of the campground along 14/16/20 highway. Check out the nearby Wapiti Wayside to learn about grizzly bears and other wildlife in the area. Having the Shoshone River and the backdrop of the mountains is a beautiful delight. 

LNT

BTYFI 

Travel safe

Stayed here with no reservation in October but based on location, cost and facility would not recommend for summer - would make reservation.   The sites are mostly pull through and are full hook up.  The laundry room is very clean.  It is attached to the bathroom/shower house.   The location is very close to the  town of Cody and grocery stores and gas stations.   We have Verizon and T-Mobile and both had good service.  WIFi is also provided.  There is a small market and they sell propane.

Be sure to visit town and the Irma Hotel and the Buffalo Bill Center of the West.